Windows Server 2012 for Embedded Systems
Windows Embedded Server is binary identical to Windows Server. Windows Server 2012 for embedded systems offers a proven, robust, highly available and reliable operating system for OEMs for embedded applications in server appliances in a wide variety of industries where long term product availability is essential, particularly in Intelligent Systems architectures. It helps increase hardware utilization, optimize data storage efficiency with scale and performance advantages. You can build server appliances that run Microsoft SQL Server 2012 for embedded systems databases for enhanced business intelligence, interoperate with client computers and connect to the cloud.
Self-Training
Microsoft is providing a Microsoft Virtual Academy training that gives you understanding of how Windows Server 2012 takes you beyond virtualization, delivers the power of many servers, opens the door to every app on any cloud, and enables the modern workstyle.
Key Licensing Changes
- Per processor licensing model; not licensed per “server” or per “device”
- For Standard > Minimum license covers up to 2 CPUs and 2 VMs
- For Datacenter > Minimum license covers up to 2 CPUs and unlimited VMs
- Edition differentiation is by number of licensed processors CPUs or virtual instances VMs (not software)
| Edition | 2-Processor License Products | 4-Processor License Products |
| Windows Server 2012 – Datacenter | 2 CPU / unlimited VMs (CALs required but not included) 2 CPU / unlimited VMs + 5 CALs 2 CPU / unlimited VMs + 10 CALs |
4CPU / unlimited VMs (CALs required but not included) 4 CPU / unlimited VMs + 5 CALs 4 CPU / unlimited VMs + 10 CALs |
| Windows Server 2012 – Standard | 2 CPU / 2 VM (CALs required but not included) 2 CPU / 2 VM + 5 CALs 2 CPU / 2 VM + 10 CALs |
4CPU / 4 VM (CALs required but not included) 4 CPU / 4 VM + 5 CALs 4 CPU / 4 VM + 10 CALs |
| Windows Server 2012 – Essentials | 2 CPU / 2 VM (No CALs required) |
4 CPU / 4 VM (No CALs required) |
| Windows Server 2012 – Telecommunications | 2 CPU / 2 VM (No CALs required) |
4 CPU / 4 VM (No CALs required) |
Quick Comparison to Windows Server 2008 R2 for Embedded Systems
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | Windows Server 2012 | Windows Server 2012 | |||
| Edition | Standard | Enterprise | Standard | Datacenter | |
| Licensing Model | Server + CALs | Server + CALs | Processor CPU + CALs | Processor CPU + CALs | |
| Failover | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Virtualization | Yes (2 VM) | Yes (4 VM) | Yes; Product offerings with 2 VM or 4 VM Licenses available | Yes; Product offerings withunlimited VMs | |
| Processor Limit per License | Up to 4 CPUs | Up to 8 CPUs | Product offerings with up to 2 CPUs or up to 4 CPUs | Product offerings with up to 2 CPUs or up to 4 CPUs | |
New for Windows Server 2012 for Embedded Systems
- No Enterprise edition
- Standard edition includes:
- unlimited processor support and unlimited x64 RAM support
- Failover clustering